Chapter Eighteen

Derrick reacts strongly to the news brought back by Doc and Drew. 

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Some of this podcast has been recorded on equipment from the Billings Public Library Co+Lab. Thanks to Renee Barratt of The Cover Counts for the cover design. Music by Mikhail Smusev from Pixabay.

Transcript

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Welcome back to the serialized podcast production of The Scarring Underneath, written and performed by T. S. Dickerson. Chapter 18. With tremendous effort, Derek had managed not to reach over and strangle Cassidy Hood in front of everyone. From the moment Drew had pulled that stupid license plate from his boot, Derek had watched his plan spiral down the toilet and disappear. It was all over. Maybe if there hadn't been hard evidence, he'd have been able to work it through. He might have swayed popular opinion. But he'd been relying on these cocksuckers to be smart and discreet, and what had they done? They'd screwed him. As chaos broke out over Cass's declaration, Derrick backed out of the crowd. He needed to think. He needed to decide on a plan. Cam would follow his sister, and his group would follow him. Hank was driven by fear, and Hank and Cam had bonded, so the Oregonians would follow Cam. Derek only saw two options for himself. One was leaving. John and the others would have a place for him in their band, but it would be a place in their band, not the head of it. If he didn't deliver all these people with the women, horses, and supplies he'd promised, they would never agree to let him lead. It was likely they would attack this group the second they learned no one intended to join. Cass's idea to leave right away was the only way to get clear before New Danville realized and came down on them. John's group would come in and take what they wanted and eliminate the rest. They had the men and guns to do it. So he could switch sides and become a cog in someone else's machine, or he could choose option two, to stay and possibly end up dead with the rest of these people. He looked around. There was arguing and crying, some had already begun to run back to their tents, talking about packing. Cam had snuck through the crowd and was talking quietly with Doc and Trista. Cass was in the midst of a heated argument with Adam. Derek worked his way toward the two of them, listening. You can't make this decision for everyone, bitch, Adam said. He pushed Cass back a few steps with his hands and moved to advance on her, but Drew stepped between them. I'm not making this decision for everyone, Cass said. Just for my group. We're getting the hell out of here. People stopped talking to watch her, drawn to the spirit that had proved such a challenge to him. Who says you have the right to speak for your group? Adam's aggression was wavering. For all his inadequacies even he could feel the tide turning. She was right, though, Lena said, moving to stand beside Cass and Drew. Her clear voice carried out through the crowd. She said someone stole from the orchard, said that someone killed Marshall, and she was right. His efforts to drag Cass through the mud had been useless. When it came down to it, Cass's people still had faith in her. Cam took her decisions as his own. Hell, he saw some members of his group watching the argument, nodding at her every word. A clinging frustration reached into his brain, worsening his now near constant headache. If he couldn't destroy her image, he needed to destroy her. A new hope bloomed in his chest. He could still end this in a favorable way. He could still end with all three groups united under his command. He just needed to get rid of Cassidy Hood. He took in the image before him as if it were an opponent's stance in one of his matches. Adam was behaving like the villain, and Derek ignored the surge of anger that ran beneath his skull. Cass was confident, ready to take Adam on, this time not with fists, but with words, and an utter lack of need for anyone's approval. He could do it. He could get her alone, take her by surprise. He pushed between Drew and Adam, and rotated to stand beside Cass. We're all getting the hell out of here, he said, his voice carrying over the crowd, and silencing a good portion of them. Cass is right. We need to leave. But Adam began to protest. Derek raised a hand. We need to leave tonight before they realize what we've decided. If they come for us, we're in trouble. Listen to Cass. Get packing. People scattered. Adam cursed and stormed away as well. Derek turned to face her and found shock all over her features. He let his honest fear of what John and the others could do shine through as he spoke to her in soft tones. He felt tears welling up in his eyes. We need to hurry, he said, touching her wrist. We need to protect them. I don't want to see anyone get hurt. She nodded. We will protect them, she said. I'll get us out of here fast. She gently pulled her arm away and turned toward the horse corrals. Derek moved to follow, but Drew stepped into his path. We need to talk, he said. Derrick's hand formed a shaking fist at his side as he bit back a protest. Every second Cass was getting farther away. He needed to catch her now before she started working with the horses. I think you may have a mole, Drew said. Someone working with New Danville. Derrick's attention was fully Drew's now. The other man was glancing around them. He nodded his head toward the nearest patch of woods. Come on, Drew said. Derrick followed, watching Drew's slight limp. He thought of Drew and Cass, so often walking together, his limp more pronounced beside her strong strides. It was different when she walked with Billy. Her strides were hesitant, body half turning to face him. With Drew she was all comfort and confidence. As they passed into the seclusion of the trees, Derrick remembered Drew stepping between Cass and Adam just minutes ago. Her hand had curled around Drew's arm, half gripping him, half directing him out of the way, hiding behind and protecting him in one motion. Maybe Derek didn't need to kill Cass. Maybe he just needed to break some supports. Make her pliable. Drew began to talk while walking, ducking branches and pushing deeper into the woods. Derek needed it to be now, while Drew was lost in thought and paying attention to swerving through the trees. Decision made, he reached under his shirt and slit his hand along his sweat damp back until he found the object jammed into his waistband. He pulled it out and freed the antler handled knife from the sheath. He moved up, the mutterings of his victim clearer as he came close. His hand was sure and swift as he plunged the knife into Drew's back at an upward angle. The weapon resisted for a split second, and then his strength popped it through fabric, skin, and diaphragm until it slid through soft human innards and sank to the hilt. Drew let out a gasp and half turned, eyes wide and confused. Derek ripped the knife from Drew's back and plunged it into his side. A moment of realization and understanding lit Drew's face, and then pain contorted it as the man sunk into the grass. He landed on a jutting root, his body at an awkward angle. He convulsed, gasping. Derek went to one knee and plunged the knife into the thigh. Blood spurted from the last wound. Derek's shoulders heaved, and his breathing was harsh as he stood. The knife was wet in his hand, and there was some blood running down his arm. Drew's head tilted back, eyes forever focused on some spot in the sky. Derrick stepped back from the body to look at himself. His boots and jeans were bloody, he felt it seeping through the fabric to his skin. He arched his back and stretched his muscles. His ears had been pulsing with adrenaline, and now the ringing was beginning to fade. He could hear a bird flapping not too far away. Beyond that there was a steady beat of sound. Barking. It was brick, yapping rhythmically. Derek looked back down at his hands. He tossed Billy's knife off into the trees, taking a moment to give thanks that the idiot had left it beside the lake. He rubbed his hands on a clean patch of tall grass. His tent wasn't far from the tree line, but he needed to hurry. With all the commotion no one would notice him, but that dog was bound to find the body soon. He hurried through the trees, removing his clothing as he went.com for direct links.